Battered Obaseki’s aide in critical condition

Special Assistant to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Political Matters, Mrs. Maris Igbons, who was reportedly beaten last week by officials of Esan West local government area is currently in critical condition at a private hospital where she was admitted.

Mrs. Igbons could not talk when journalists visited her at the hospital.

A former Vice Chairman of Esan West, Mrs. Esther Eghaghe, said Igbons was beaten by the council officials who were out to collect revenue.

Esther said Igbons had also complied with a directive from the council officials that she should shift her shop away from the road.

She alleged that Igbons was beaten because she is not loyal to the Chairman of the local council, Patrick Aguinede.

According to Esther, “Aguinede has been going about intimidating and harassing people in the name of collecting revenue. We expected him to bring all factions of the party together but he is fighting us because we remain loyal to Pius Omofuma.

“That is why he is beating most of us. Igbons has already removed her shop but they still beat her up.”

A sister to Igbons, who gave her name as Joyce described her ‘condition as bad’.

“They beat her to a state of coma. She can not talk now and we are worried.”

Head of Environment department, Mr. Anthony Ojeabulu, who led the team to Igbons shop, denied beating her.

Anthony said it was Igbons that slapped him and tore his official uniform.

He said Igbons ran to the hospital when she heard that policemen were looking for her for assault.

Hon Aguinede on his part said he reigned from a meeting in Benin to learn about what happened.

Aguinede said he asked the officials to report the matter to the police only for Mrs. Igbons to go to the hospital that she was beaten.

He noted that as a Special Assistant to Governor Obaseki, Mrs. Igbons ought to show example by prompt payment of levies and obedient to local authorities.

Aguinede said that battle against him by some members of the APC was because he discovered fraud masterminded by them.

According to him, “As an aide to the Governor, she was supposed to be in the office as at the time she was found in her shop. She refused to pay her levies on grounds that she is an aide to Obaseki.

“Omofuma is the person manipulating the whole thing. He has been using everything to discredit my person. Mr. Anthony was doing his normal routine work when the woman was said to have slapped him and tore his uniform.”